The Vatican on Monday rejected reports that it could be the next target of Islamist terrorists after last week's deadly attacks in France.

The move came as Pope Francis called for a "unanimous" global response to the Islamic State group as he left on his first official visit to the Philippines and Sri Lanka.

Israeli state TV reported Sunday that U.S. intelligence services had warned the Vatican could be the next terrorist target, as international leaders joined an estimated 2 million people in a massive anti-terrorism rally in Paris.